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bratshaws · 7 months

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through the hourglass 287. brb x oc

a/n: BRAD BEING A DAD IS MY WEAKNESS SHUT UP (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

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(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix @lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

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Bradley, who had been anxiously waiting for the video call, couldn't help but feel his heart racing as the minutes passed. His leg continued to bounce nervously as he checked his phone for the umpteenth time. He had been deployed for what felt like an eternity - and by God, it’s been only two weeks, calm down-, and the longing to see his family, especially his kids, was nearly unbearable.

As the loading circle on his computer screen taunted him, Bradley tried to stay patient. He had been through many challenging situations during his deployment, but waiting for this call felt like one of the most nerve-wracking moments of all. He had exchanged messages and heard their voices, but seeing their faces on the screen was an entirely different experience.

Finally, the screen lit up, and a notification informed him that Beatrice had accepted the video call. His heart skipped a beat as her image appeared on the screen. She looked just as beautiful as he remembered, with her emerald-green eyes and her smile that could melt his heart.

"Brad!" Beatrice's face lit up with joy, and Nikki, who was sitting beside her, turned her head toward the screen.

"Dada!" she immediately stood straighter,holding herself up by standing on Beatrice’s thighs, eyes wide with excitement.

Bradley couldn't help but smile, his heart filling with warmth at the sight. "Hey there my girls! How have you been?"

“Dada,” Nicole moves closer, holding her stuffed giraffe for him to see, “Wafe!” followed by a long babbling that only a one year old could do. She pushes the stuffed toy to the camera making sure her father can see every little pattern on the giraffe’s neck.

Bradley's heart swelled with affection as he watched his daughter's excitement. He could see every detail of Nicole's stuffed giraffe as she proudly showed it off, her baby babbling filling the airwaves. "That's a beautiful giraffe, sweetie. I love it. Daddy misses you so much."

Beatrice smiled, holding Nicole close to her chest. "We miss you too, Bradley. It's been a little challenging, but we're managing. Nikki here," she nodded toward their one-year-old daughter, "keeps us on our toes."

Bradley's gaze shifted to their older daughter,leaning forward a little bit. "And how's my big girl, Nikki? Have you been helping Mommy?"

Nicole continued to babble and giggle, clearly unaware of the distance that separated them. She reached out her tiny hand, as if trying to touch her father through the screen. Beatrice guided Nicole's hand gently, allowing her to wave at Bradley.

"Nikki," he addressed his older daughter, "I promise I'll be home soon, and we can play together, just like we used to."

Beatrice leaned in closer, her voice soft with reassurance. "Don’t you get too worried,now LC.’

“No promises.” he chuckles, tapping his finger on the desk, “...and the twins?”

Beatrice smiles, adjusting herself on the chair before leaning to the left a bit. He moves closer to the screen and sees the two babies on their respective rockers. Aurora was wide awake, playing with the mobile hanging above her head while Gavin was happily asleep, the gentle lullaby making it obvious that the baby had other things in mind, “They are fine.” she grins, “Honestly, they are great babies,Roos.”

Bradley's eyes softened as he took in the sight of their twin babies. It was the first time he was seeing them in their home and it did something to him, truly. His eyes stung a bit and he hurriedly tried to wipe them off before Beatrice could notice, ‘They look…very comfortable.”

“Aurora is really the most active of the two.” Beatrice says, still looking at the babies “She does not like her diaper changed unless you bounce her a little bit. Gavin is super chill, he’s up for anything and he naps quite often but he’s not loud.” she rubs her chin thinking what else she could tell him “Oh, they also like sunbathing in the kitchen a lot, that’s probably the only time they actually complain together, neither of them want to leave that warmth.”

"They sound like amazing babies," he remarked, his voice filled with tenderness. "Honestly that’s a big mood, who wouldn’t want to stay under the sun?” he turns his eyes to her, “...how about you,gorgeous? How are you? You alright?”

Beatrice's smile softened as she looked back at Bradley through the screen. "I'm doing okay," she replied, shrugging as Nicole remained on her lap. "We're managing, and I’m not alone doing it. Shells comes by often, Evelyn too and my sisters try to help even if Bri is still in Boston.”

“You two are talking a lot?”

“She’s the one who has three kids. I know Gui has four but,” she makes a face “I doubt he could help me with this. He’s a good dad but I think he’s still…uh…he’s going to be in the protective uncle phase for a long time.”

Rooster’s eyes locked onto hers, and his shoulders relaxed. The one thing he worried the most with her being alone was Beatrice overworking herself. But, she looks great, her color was healthy and she looked like she slept nicely these past days considering her eyebags were almost gone, “I know what you mean.” he says, “I just want you to be alright,gorgeous.”

“I know.”

“And, you know, having kids that don’t make a lot of noise during the night helps,right?”

She laughs softly, looking from Nicole to the twins with a small smile, “I think our kids are just special like that. My mom came over a few nights ago and was very surprised to hear that the three of them just…don’t cry unless truly necessary.” she says “Of course Aurora is a bit more…um…dramatic.”

Bradley couldn't help but smile as he watched Beatrice talk about their children. He just stared at her, the way her mouth quirked up when she spoke and how even when she was talking about Aurora being a complete opposite of her brother, her smile only grew."Well, they got the best mom in the world to take care of them," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You're doing an incredible job, Bea."

Beatrice blushed at the compliment, her gaze moving back to him. "I'm just doing my best, Roos. Speaking of which," Beatrice then said, "how's the deployment going on your end? Everything okay?"

His smile faded just a touch, and he nodded. "It's been... challenging. I won't lie. Bradley leaned back in his chair, the distance between him and Beatrice feeling both immense and torturous. He had grown used to the weight of his responsibilities during his deployment, but it was moments like these when the distance and separation from his family felt most profound.

"Deployments always have their challenges," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of exhaustion and longing. "But we're managing.It's just... hard, you know? Being away from you and the kids."

Beatrice nodded,her gaze softening just a bit. This truly didn't make it any easier for either of them. "I can't imagine how tough it must be for you, Roos. But you're doing it, you’ll be alright…is it hard?”

“It’s never easy.” he chuckles tiredly “But…you know, we’ve been doing our best,gorgeous. It’s just how we do things and deal with stuff and timelines.”

‘And…how’s Mark?”

His smile drops and he sighs,crossing his arms, “Being a bit of a nuisance but…he knows his place. There is stuff you can do and stuff you can’t. He’s been trying to play like he’s better than us and I’m trying my best to cut him off, you know?”

“Ah…I mean…I get it.” she chews her lower lip ,”Miranda invited me to a Halloween party.”

Her husband’s eyes darted back to hers and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, his pose straightening a bit, “...Miranda invited you?”

“Yep.”

“...isn’t it a bit early for a Halloween party?”

Bea just shrugs, still holding Nicole, “It is, Shells agreed but it’s…going to happen in October, so…I’m not going Roos,” she reassured him when she noticed how his eyebrows kept lowering, “She’s trying to…I don’t know what she’s trying to do. I thought she’d leave us be to be honest.”

Bradley sighed, rubbing his jawline with a grimace. "I'm not sure what Miranda's intentions are, but you don't have to go if you don't want to, Bea. Your well-being and the kids come first, and I trust your judgment."

"Thank you, Roos. I just don't want to get caught up in whatever drama Miranda might be stirring. We have enough on our plate as it is."

“I know,gorgeous.” he knows his time is short but he still had a few minutes left and he didn’t know when he’d be able to talk to Beatrice again. “As long as you are safe, I don’t mind it. You know that and as long as the kids are okay too.”

“I know Roos. I’ll be alright,I promise…anything else that’s been happening there?’ she asks, pulling Nicole closer so she’d see her father “I don’t think I ever asked you what the base looked like,did I?”

Bradley leaned back in his chair, the video feed showing the backdrop of the base. "Well, the base is like a world of its own," he began, gesturing to the walls . "It's massive, and it looks old as balls here. The living quarters are basic, but we make do. The ocean is right there and it really appears that this place is haunted when it’s night time."

‘But that doesn’t scare you,right Roos?”

“Gorgeous considering everything we’ve been through, a haunted base is the least of my worries.” he says, folding his arms over the desk, “We're often busy with training exercises, maintenance, and mission planning. Three months seems short but it’s so much work involved."

Beatrice listened intently, her eyes fixed on the screen as Bradley described the base.He could read the back of a bottle of car oil that she’d just listen to him without worries. His voice was so nice and she adored how it hit her ears every time "Haunted or not, you guys can deal with it."

“Yeah, sure, unless a ghost-” and he looks around as if to check his surroundings “Tries to tie up my boots or something.”

“Oh,come on, they won’t do that.” she laughs, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear “By the way, everyone is very excited about the twins at the Hard Deck.”

“Oh?”

“Are you surprised that the patrons at the bar would know about our kids? They’ve been aware of our relationship for so long,Roos.” she giggles and laughs even more when Nicole mimics the sound, waving her giraffe in the air, “They asked me how everything is, some of them even offered to help me out if I need.”

“...That’s…actually really nice.”

“Right? I love that job.” she says “I thought…honestly that’d be harder to, you know, go back to the bar after the kids but I’m managing it? I do miss them terribly but I can do it.”

"That's amazing, Bea," he said, his voice filled with genuine pride . "I'm so proud of you.I really am. You're doing an incredible job with the kids and handling your work at the bar. I always knew you were capable of anything you set your mind to."

Beatrice blushed, her smile widening as she gazed at the screen. "Thank you, Roos. It's not always easy, but like I said I have a great support system. And! I didn’t get sick again!"

"Good gorgeous. I’d hate it if you got sick again, Bea," Bradley said, looking back at his phone with a frown, “Gorgeous,my time is almost up.”

“...oh.”

“Don’t give me that face.” he begs, seeing those green eyes giving him the puppy dog gaze was going to ruin him, “Ugh,I love you, stop being cute.” he turns to Nikki who was doing the same thing “You too, young lady. You have your mother’s charms,I swear.”

Beatrice laughs softly, albeit she is upset that their conversation was cut short, “Alright…it’s okay Roos. We’ll talk again soon,alright?”

“You bet gorgeous.” he smirks, “I love you,so much.”

"I love you too, Bradley," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with tenderness. "And I promise Nikki and I will continue to be as cute as possible just for you. Maybe even teaching the twins a thing or two."

Bradley chuckled, the sound carrying the room. " You know I wouldn't have it any other way, gorgeous. I miss you all so much. But I’ll be back before you know it…okay?"

Beatrice nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, Roos. We'll count the days until you're back home with us.Stay safe, okay?"

“Will do,gorgeous.”

With a final exchange of affectionate words and blown kisses, their video call came to an end. Bradley couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—joy at seeing Bea and the kids, sadness at saying goodbye, and a deep longing for the day when they would be together again.

He was a sap when it came to her.

He watches as the screen turns black with the same loading symbol again before he sighs, forcing himself to stand and leave the room with his hands inside his pockets. He greets a few officers on the way out, rubbing his wedding band with his thumb as his eyes move to the horizon. “At least it’s a pretty afternoon.”

He returned to his quarters, a modest room that he shared with Payback. He sighs, sitting on his cot with his head in his hands, looking at his feet.

Payback, who had also just finished a video call with his own family - which was his sister and mother, since he wasn’t married -, looked at Bradley with a knowing expression. "Tough call, huh?" he asked.

Bradley nodded, sinking into the thin mattress on his bunk. "Yeah, it never gets easier, man. But seeing them makes it all worth it. How's your mom holding up?"

Payback sat down on the edge of his own cot, his expression shifting to a slightly worried one. "She's doing okay, all things considered," he replied. "But I can tell she worries. She tries not to show it too much, but I can see it in her eyes."

"Yeah,it's in their DNA, I guess."

Payback let out a rueful chuckle. "Tell me about it. I mean, it's not like we're kids anymore, but she still asks me if I'm eating well, if I'm staying out of trouble, and if I'm taking care of myself. It's sweet, really."

Bradley smiled, a bit sad that his mom wasn’t alive to ask him those questions…but he did have Beatrice’s family doing that for him. "It is. It can be tough on them when we're so far away."

“A little, but,” the other pilot shrugs, “How’s Bea doing? How’s the kids? I heard the twins finally came back home!”

He couldn’t hide his own happiness after that question "Yeah," Bradley replied with a proud grin, "the twins are finally home, and they're doing great. They've settled in well, and Beatrice has everything under control. I don't know how she does it, honestly."

“It’s been a long time coming,man.” Payback raised an eyebrow. "I bet it's a relief for you."

Bradley nodded, still rubbing his wedding band and chewing his lower lip. "It is. It's hard being away from them, but knowing that they're safe and happy makes it a little easier. Beatrice is incredible, and I'm so lucky to have her as my wife."

“Yep,you're head over heels for her. Shocking.”

Rooster rolled his eyes and couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way. You guys bet on us when we started dating."

“And we are still betting on you.” he smirks, “We just won’t say what it is.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You are welcome man,” Payback pats his back, “You are very welcome.”

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw x named reader #tgm oc #tgm fic #tgm fanfiction

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creepycombo · 2 years

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Fresh Wounds

Despite Sarah still being stuck in the motion of disbelief, hope fuelled her every step.

“You’re friend’s still alive.” had said one of the paramedics that arrived at the scene that, “We’re doing the best we can but her condition is severe.”

How? Sarah counted the stab wounds, saw the light fade from her eyes and heard her last breath as she slipped away into the beyond. It almost felt like a sick joke to be told something that she felt from the bottom of her heart wasn’t true.

Jill had managed to hold on for so long. She was a true fighter, but she was only flesh and bone and couldn’t outplay death like God or some kind of otherworldly being.

But the frustration Sarah wanted to feel at the mere notion that her eyes had lied to her was overwhelmed by the overflowing hope she needed to feel for her friend.

Sarah hadn’t been able to sleep the night prior, but not from the uncomfortable hospital bed that she had been made to stay in, nor the terrible nightmares of the vacant smile of Burr’s clown mask coming back to her in her dreams to finish what he started.

Neither was it the thought of the mental trauma that night had inflicted on poor Billy. Or even the death of Jack, who, until the police arrived, had been completely erased from her memory.

All she could think about was Jill.

Her name drove her forward down the white and blue hallway, passing rooms, darting her head left to right at each number that hung above each door like a dog watching a ball going back and forth.

She was looking for room ‘273′ that was the room that the nurse that had been tending to her had directed her to. Sarah still able to remember the look of sympathy on the woman’s face as she watched her limp out of her room as fast as her torn muscles would allow her.

She was getting close and as the numbered doors reached, ‘262′ she had began to count them. Each number she passed coming out as a whisper, her pace subconsciously quickening, as if each new number she read gave her a boost.

As if the closer Sarah got to Jill the more stronger and determined she became.

“268.” she breathed, her heart thumping in her chest.

“269.” Sarah began to feel light-headed and almost reached out to brace herself against the sterilised wall, almost...

“270.” she pressed onward, too far to take a break now.

“271.” her breath got caught in her throat.

“272.” the number came out as three slurred syllables before she reflectively sucked in air from between her teeth so she wouldn’t collapse.

The words, ‘Two seven three.’ never left her lips. As she found herself standing at the door’s side, she froze. As if she hadn’t planned what she would actually do once she reached her final destination.

The obvious answer would be open the door, practically throw herself at her best friend and just cry for awhile as Sarah listened to Jill making fun of her for being such a crybaby. Sarah wanted that more than anything.

Just to hear Jill’s voice one more time and a thousand more times after that, but something in her mind flashed before her eyes.

The sight of Jill’s eyes fading and the feeling of her hand going limp in hers. Sarah clutched the door handle with loose fingers and put what felt like her entire body-weight on top of it, even though in reality it was barely enough pressure to actually part the door from it’s frame.

The door creaked open all the way until the handle came into contact with the wall, but Sarah didn’t step into the room, she just stood without movement as her breath hitched and her heart skipped a beat.

Jill lay on her back in the hospital bed opposite the door. Her head raised slightly, her expression of exhaustion livening into a delayed expression of shock.

Sarah stared back with a similar expression. As if she was looking at a spirit or something else entirely. She couldn’t speak, she only looked on as if urging Jill to say something to her.

Confirm it was actually her she was looking at.

Something.

Anything.

And after a prolonged silence, she did.

“You look like shit.” said Jill, smiling a petite smile as Sarah let a crooked grin spread across her own face.

Sarah wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but still, it was good enough for her. Though just because Jill was injured, didn’t mean Sarah was going to take that comment laying down.

“Says you!” she blurted out through a sob that she hadn’t even felt coming until it was too late, stumbling into the room like a sad drunk.

In a way it was kinda funny. Here Jill was, having survived God knows how many stab wounds to the abdomen, able to laugh and joke, albeit with effort. While Sarah was on the verge of collapsing from doing something as simple as walking down a hallway.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep and anxiety that was finally getting to her.

“Sarah you’re freaking me out standing there like that! Don’t tell me you’re turning into a bogeyman too.” Jill visibly stifled her own laughter at her own half-witted and half-breathed remark, her body almost convulsing as she coughed.

Jill winced.

Sarah moved closer and finally settled herself in the chair at her friend’s bedside as she brought her hand to rest on her shoulder.

“How bad’s the pain?”

Jill scoffed, “See for yourself dude.” She then proceeded to pull the sheets off of herself, revealing the white and grey-spotted hospital gown she was dressed in before reaching around to a white string that precariously hung off it’s side.

Sarah watched as Jill undid the knot with a gentle tug from one end of the string before she pulled the bottom half of the robe open to reveal her bare stomach to her friend.

Sarah’s eyes widened, a shaking breath filling her lungs at the sight of blue stitching that decorated Jill’s entire stomach as if she was homemade doll.

Some of the wounds were small but very clearly deep, while most seemed almost barely skin deep. The longest running cut went from the bottom of Jill’s left rib all the way down right side of her waist right above her thigh. The loose ends of the suturing sticking outward like barbed-wire at any and every angle.

“Pretty gnarly, huh?”

Sarah didn’t respond. She leaned back in her seat, that horrible night replaying itself in her mind. Jill called Sarah’s name, but she couldn’t hear it well over the sound of her own blood rushing through her ears and was only snapped out of it by, ironically, Jill snapping her fingers in front of Sarah’s face.

“Sarah! Earth to Sarah! Do you copy?”

Sarah shook her head to orientate herself, sniffling slightly, “Yeah, I hear you dude.”

Jill rolled her eyes, “Jeez, bitch- I nearly die and you still don’t listen to me when I’m talking to you. Seriously Sarah, what am I? Chopped liver?”

Sarah knew Jill’s tone didn’t mean to come off as harshly as it had, but it still sent a wave of guilt through her. She looked exhausted, her eyes were ringed in grey and seemingly struggled to redo the knot to her robe, fumbling with it before she finally cursed under her breath and ultimately gave up.

“Dude, you look really tired. Do you want me to leave you alone?”

“Nah, you can stay.” Jill drawled, “Not like I’m getting any sleep anyway. Shit hurts too much...”

“Can’t they give you, like, painkillers or something?”

“I mean- yeah, they did. I felt fine when I woke up! But apparently taking too much of it can kill me, so I can only have so much.”

Jill let out a shaky breath before rolling her head to look up at the ceiling, her glazed eyes staring vacantly into nothing.

“It’s hell.”

Watching Jill slowly transition from making sarcastically-snide comments to solemn confessions of pain was jarring for Sarah to listen to. Like carnival music playing in reverse it just sounded wrong and both of them soon fell silent, if only for a few moments.

The grip Sarah had on Jill’s shoulder lightly tightened and Jill turned to look at her as Sarah fumbled for words.

“Hey- do you want me to get you anything? I could get you some water. There’s a vending machine just down the hall.”

“Sure.”

Jill’s voice was grim and her breathing was deep. She couldn’t be bothered to hide her pain anymore, it was too much effort for her and besides she knew Sarah wasn’t an idiot. Sarah probably knew her better than her own parents did. No scratch that, Sarah definitely knew more about her than her own parents did.

Which if anything just adds to the relief she had over still being alive, even if she didn’t exactly feel alive at this moment in time. Who knows what Sarah would’ve revealed to the world if Jill didn’t somehow manage to effectively cheat death.

“Aight, hang tight bitch.” Sarah said, earning at least a little smile from Jill as she stood from her chair.

“Don’t get lost!”

“Don’t tempt me!”

Sarah’s voice echoed into the hall, her eyes falling onto the vending machine as the last syllable left her mouth. Two dollars and fifty cents for a bottle of water? If this wasn’t for Jill she wouldn’t have even bothered. It has to be a crime to charge water for that high of a price when there were cans of soft drink in there for less.

Sarah fumbled with her wallet, emptying out a few coins into the palm of her hand before depositing them into the machine and once again, her mind began to wander.

What’s she going to tell Jill about Burr? How is she supposed to explain that this fucker, somehow, managed to get away. It sounded worse the more Sarah thought about it, how it would sound to Jill to almost hype herself up over hacking with him up with an axe before hitting him with the Johnson’s car, only to reveal that it wasn’t enough...

If all that couldn’t get rid of him, Sarah greatly doubted that the cops in this town would be able to.

The sound of the water bottle falling from it’s pocket jolted Sarah from her daydreaming, sighing as she reached down to grab it. Just thinking about Burr put her in a state of anxiety and paranoia.

“Jeez- just calm down, Sarah.” she told herself as she began the short tread back to her friend’s room. It felt significantly shorter this time around, no door counting, no racing heart, no nothing. Which made Sarah feel pretty silly for acting how she had the first time coming through this hallway, but at the same time, how could she not?

She did think her best friend was dead after all.

Sarah let herself back into Jill’s room, her glazed over eyes and vacant expression turning into a forced grin. Not that Jill didn’t want to smile, but being in pain made it almost impossible for any emotion that came out of her to be positive one.

But still, as Sarah passed Jill her water, Jill breathed a cheeky, “Thanks babe.” before turning to sit up and open the bottle cap, taking care not to lean forward on her stomach and just keep her back against the headboard to avoid causing herself anymore discomfort.

Only once the cap was off did Jill realize just how dry her throat was. Hoarse from screaming Sarah watched as Jill completely upturned the bottle and began to guzzle it down greedily.

“Fuck, Jill, thirsty much?”

Jill didn’t respond, leaving Sarah to only watch as the bottle creased and water bubbled before Jill finally pulled the bottle away from her mouth for a breath and set it in her lap, over a third of the water now gone within a matter of seconds.

Jill grunted and leaned her head back against the headboard with her eyes closed, hiccuping once before her head rolled to the side to face Sarah again.

“Feeling better?”

“I guess.” Jill belched and allowed herself to re-settle, the taste of vending machine water not the only thing that remained sitting on her tongue.

“So, what happened to that motherfucker? Did I kill him?”

Sarah held her breath before the full question had even left her lips. Jill’s voice was laced with audible spite from what that monster had done to her. Sarah couldn’t blame her. It was clear she was in agony. Neokalus Burr, this demon had convinced her- convinced both of them that she wasn’t coming out of that house alive that night.

Yet still, despite Sarah being well aware of the question’s eventually inevitability, she was still somehow unprepared to answer it.

And with Sarah’s silent frown, Jill took the words straight from her mouth.

“Is he alive?”

Sarah’s frown turned into a scowl, her eyes shifting off to the side like a guilty child. That feeling of rage that had possessed her to hack at Burr’s back with that axe coming back in isolated snippets.

Jill shook her head, slowly, but it picked up gradually, “No.” she said, “No. No. No. No. No- How can that be? I shot him!? Didn’t I?”

Sarah sniffled, tears of rage trickling down her face, “You did.” she said, “But it wasn’t enough.” she took a deep breath, “Nothing was enough.”

Jill felt the rage radiating off of Sarah. At first, that’s all it was. Just rage, but as the intensity of her expression intensified Jill found herself caught in a swirling cacophony of sorrow, fear, disgust and pain. As if there was a dial inside her head with a pointer, each segment containing an emotion, but unable to pick one to choose and so it just spun continuously with no end.

“Dude, what the fuck happened while I was out?”

“When you- when you-” Sarah winced recalling the memory, “After you shot Burr, the fucker just came back.”

Jill just barely managed to mutter the words, “How?” before Sarah intercepted with a loud, “I don’t know!”

“I don’t fucking know- So, I got up and swung at him with my axe! I brought it down again, and again, and again-” with each repetition that Sarah made her voice devolved further from speech and further into cries, clutching her head in her hands she heard Jill calling her name.

Sarah didn’t keep her waiting this time. She lifted her head and looked into her eyes, waiting for her to speak as tears rolled down her cheeks, but soon came to the realization that it wasn’t so Jill could have a turn to speak and rather to keep Sarah from pulling her own hair out.

Jill had a hold of both of Sarah’s shoulders and when Sarah had finally broken out of that grasp of insanity, she let out a sob followed by a pitiful whine.

“Jill, I’m tired. I don’t know the last time I slept was. I don’t think I’m ever going to fall asleep again because I’m scared I’m just going to wake up to him standing over my bed.”

Flashes of phantom pain coursed throughout Sarah’s body. Her own stab wounds reignited and the cuts left by the thorn bush and broken glass began to tingle. It was like there was termites under her skin, trying to bust out through her scar tissue, but ultimately failed leaving them to squirm with no way out.

“I’m so sorry that I got you roped into this-”

“Bitch, shut up! Shut up. It’s not your fault.” Jill’s hold on Sarah tightened as she brought her into a hug.

“None of this was your fault! It’s Burr’s fault! You didn’t kill Jack! You didn’t do this to me you big dumb hoe!”

Sarah was silent for a moment, leaving Jill in anticipation. Expecting her continue this blame-game until she would need to call Sarah’s parents and have them come pick her up, but she didn’t, instead the silence persisted until a barely audible murmur escaped Sarah’s lips.

If it wasn’t for the fact Sarah’s head was right next to her ear, Jill probably wouldn’t have even heard it.

“I’m never going to leave you again...”

Jill fell silent too and for a moment they both remained still until Jill jump-started the world around them back into motion as she leaned back against the headboard of her hospital bed, taking Sarah with her as she did. At first, Sarah was hesitant but ultimately joined her, her head laying against her best friend’s chest. The sound of her heart putting her at ease.

Sarah remembered what L.T Breaker had said to her before she was sent to the hospital, ‘You’ll be safe there.’ She still heard his voice clear as crystal and before she had doubted him, hell, she still doubts him.

But right now, in this moment, maybe. Just maybe, there is hope.

#babysitter bloodbath #puppet combo sarah #puppet combo jill #neokalus burr #regina watts

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wonderwoman6199 · 4 years

Text

MAJOR NEWS!!!!!!

Guys, I just read chapter 280, and oh boy are we in for a hell of a ride. Because of the arrrival of a certain character, the whole story is about to take a big turn. DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED!!!!!

Okay, now that the warnings are out of the way, let’s get down to business. In this chapter, a very big event happened, and I’m not talking about Kyoko’s response to Ren’s confession. Though while I’m mentioning that...AHHHHH SHE NODDED! HE KNOWS! SHE KNOWS! THEY BOTH KNOWMHOW THEY FEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️

Ehem, nevertheless, that’s not the biggest development in the chapter. The biggest development is the arrival of this guy.

Cedric D. Bennet

Some of you may remember him, some of you may not, but going forward in the story, he will be EXTREMLEY IMPORTANT! Let’s do some backtracking to see what we know of this character and his importance.

Chapter 258

We first hear Cedric’s name during the Momiji audition arc. His name is brought up in chapter 258 during the confrontation with Kimiko Morizumi. After Yashiro comes across Morizumi and her manager trying to throw Kyoko off the roof, the group is joined by the wheelchair bound Erika Koenji-san, claiming she can prove Morizumi tried to harm Kyoko.

Koenji shows that all security cameras in the area were recording the incident and threatens to post the videos online. The threat truly frightens Morizumi when Koenji mentions one particular person who might see it.

This frightens Morizumi as she has worked hard to create an image for herself to fit Cedric’s belief that “all Japanese women are pure and loving.” With this threat, Morizumi finally agrees to back off.

Chapter 272

The next time Cedric’s name comes up is in chapter 272 when Moko-san is asking Kyoko to be her English partner to help her prepare for her role in the American production she will be in. It is during this conversation we learn the name of her co-star.

In chapter 280 he is most likely in Japan because of this role. In chapter 272 we learn that Cedric comes from a family of famous entertainers. We also learn that we have already met one member of his family, his grandfather Mr. Duris, or as we may remember him...

Yep, the guy who was the diversion before Maria’s father came out at her birthday party. We also learn more about Uncle Tiger, specifically his reputaion in the entertainment industry.

Uncle Tiger was also the man looking for the “fairy” actress Amamiya mentioned.

This has outlined all the ways Cedric is connected to Kyoko’s story. Now for the really important part, how he connects to Ren...

Chapter 273

During chapter 273, we overhear a very important phone call between Lori and Uncle Tiger. Lori and Uncle Tiger seem to be talking about a decision Ren recently made, perhaps about a job. Uncle Tiger asks Lori if Juliena and Kuu, Ren’s parents, have been informed about his decision. Lori says he will call them after Uncle Tiger. After a brief pause, Lori says,

Uncle Tiger jokingly says he wishes he could cast a curse on Lori so that Maria will only call him “uncle” for two weeks. When Lori says this is hardly a punishment, Uncle Tiger responds,

This conversation has lead to a very interesting theory by some fans, is Uncle Tiger Ren’s grandfather? Going off this conversation, it wouldn’t be too far fetched. Lori says that Uncle Tiger helping Ren would ruin all Ren worked for. Ren has been working hard to be recognized based on his acting talents alone, not his family connections. We thought this only applied to his parents the famous actors Kuu and Juliena Hizuri, but could it also apply to his grandfather, “the father of winners?” We have further proof when Lori implies that Uncle Tiger will be called grandfather again once Ren makes his American debut.

In the latest chapter we learn that Cedric is Uncle Tiger’s grandson. So, if the theory does prove to be true that Ren (or rather, Kuon) is his grandson as well, does that mean they are related? Perhaps cousins?

Chapter 273 provides us another bit of interesting information when Uncle Tiger says

The “him” Uncle Tiger says he’s going to protect is Ren, however, who is he protecting him from?

After looking through previous chapters I think I have the answer. The person Uncle Tiger is protecting Ren from is the man who ruined Kuon’s life. The man who constantly tortured Kuon. The man who made Kuon run away from America. The man who was at least partially responsible for the death of Rick...

Cedric D. Bennet...

As I have outlined, we first heard Cedric’s name in chapter 258. However, now that we see what he looks like in chapter 280, it appears that we saw Cedric long before we heard his name.

Chapter 178

During the Heel siblings arc we see many glimpses of Ren’s past when he was still Kuon. In these flashbacks, there is one man who makes several appearances, this man.

Similar to the picture shown above from chapter 178, whenever we see this man, he is harrassing Kuon for his mixed heritage. Looking closely at him now, he bares a strong resemblance to Cedric.

Chapter 180

We see this flashback continued in chapter 180. In this continuation, it appears that the gang that was cornering Kuon has now been beaten to a pulp. Despite their defeat, Koun continues his assult, only to be stopped by Rick with a quivering Tina behind him.

We then see the ringleader (the man who is likely Cedric) running away.

Kuon is having none of this and chases after him, shortly followed by Rick. The flashback ends here. It is several more pages before we see the outcome.

This, this right here is why Cedric’s arrival marks an important point in the story. He was there for Rick’s death. He was the one who, just like Tina, put it into Ren’s head that he was a murder.

Chapter 185

We can see that Cedric’s words, just like Tina’s, still haunt Ren. In fact, when Ren attacked Murasame-san on the set of Tragic Marker in chapter 185, it is because he reminded him of Cedric.

The arrival of Cedric D. Bennet will have an irrevicobale effect on the story moving forward. With his arrival, we will now know the full story of the incident that set Kuon Hizuri on the Path to become Ren Tsuruga. In other words...

The shit has hit the fan!!!!!!

#skip beat!#skip beat #skip beat manga #skip beat spoilers #skip beat kyoko #kyoko mogami #skip beat ren #ren tsuruga #skip beat kuon #kuon hizuri #Cedric d. bennet #skip beat 178 #skip beat 180 #skip beat 185 #skip beat 258 #skip beat 272 #skip beat 273 #skip beat 280

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13elieve · 4 years

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Hey, i just realized something, is uncle tiger ren's grandpa? Does that mean cedric n ren are cousins? 🤔

#skip beat #rereading #272

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skip-beat-manga · 5 years

Photo

Skip Beat Confession:

Kanae is the hero we all need.

by Anonymous

Send us your confessions!

#skip beat #skip beat!#skip beat confessions #sbconfessionssunday #chapter 272 #kanae #ren #anonymous

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lemmebefangirl · 5 years

Text

Okay it was probably too much to hope that Ren and Kyoko would sort out their problems themselves. Of course Lory and Kanae had to intervene. Yashiro also his played his part well.

*sigh* Do whatever it takes to keep the ship sailing.

#skip beat #kyoko and ren #skip beat chapter 271 #manga #lory skip beat #yashiro skip beat #kanae skip beat #skip beat chapter 272

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muzmuzme · 5 years

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No... No... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... DAMN YOU SKIP BEAT... WHAT KIND OF CHAPTER ENDING WAS THAT.....

jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez give me a break.... i want more... i want MORE .... DAMN IT

#skip beat #chapter 272 #damn it #what the hell #give me more

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cyborg-franky · 2 years

Note

Waaait

I just realized what'd be a rlly cute and useful Devil fruit

Making things float but like

Imagine Ace's reaction to kissing his S/O and they just start to float because they're THAT happy to recieve a kiss?? Adorable, I think his hear would skip a few beats

🦂

Oh no, thats really cute, that emoji you sent is sending the fucking shits up me mind you. But the request is cute.

[I hate that little emoji motherfucker] Ace x GN Reader SFW Word Count: 272

Ace knew how your fruit worked, he’d seen you use it more than a few times, it was very handy when someone like Marco wasn’t around. You could float up and check things out, if you were lost on a mission you could rise above the tree’s and guide your team through the area.

The freckled pirate smiled at you as you grabbed his arm, walking along the deck, the night air was pleasant, duties of the day over and done with. Just getting to spend time with Ace, enjoying the blossoming relationship you’d started not that long ago.

“The stars are so pretty” You sighed, the night sky had always looked perfect out at sea, the moon taking up the entire sky, nothing to get in her way.

“Not as p-“You pressed a finger to his lips and rolled your eyes “No cheesy pick up lines, please Ace” You laughed when his cheeks tinged pink. He took your hand from his face, leaning down, closer, and closer, until your lips touched.

Now you turned bright pink at the sweetness of the moment, you felt your feet start to lift from the ground, the giddy happiness in your heart from such a small gesture. He blinked and opened his eyes, trying to tip toe to keep the kiss going.

It failed and Ace let you a laugh, his arms stretching out so he could grasp your hands, pulling you back down to earth, knowing the honest reaction of your devil fruit, how he had that effect on you, his heart skipped a beat.. He knew he was well and truly in love.

#one piece x reader #one piece reader insert #portgas d ace #one piece x you #sfw #portgas d. ace #portugas d ace x reader #portgas d ace x reader #portugas d ace #ace x reader #one piece ace x reader #fire fist ace #ace x y/n #ace x you #gender nuetral reader

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skullstarz · 3 years

Text

the dilf next door

-> aged up!bakugo katsuki, todoroki shoto, and iida tenya x gn!reader (separate)

ack, another idea that was much better in my head. wrote this after finding out my next door neighbor is a dilf. cant cheat on my bf iida tenya though 😩

warnings: a lil suggestive, language. u have a kid (or multiple idk) of your own as well.

word count: 298 (baku), 272 (todo), 302 (iida).

alternative title: dilfs w their sleeves rolled up ..

check out my masterlist for more of my works !!

BAKUGO KATSUKI

✿ his kid pushed your kid.

✿ at first you were feeling MURDEROUS. whose child is this and WHY did he just hurt your sweet little BABY????

✿ and then his dad walks out of the house, a much younger kid in his arm and a fat ass bookbag that seemed stuffed to the brim.

✿ as soon as he saw that his kid pushed yours he immediately apologized, gave his son a light nudge and told his kid to apologize as well

✿ as they were walking away you heard bakugo grumbling to his son, saying “god damn it kid” and then telling him to be thankful he won't whoop his ass

✿ from then on you start to see him even more and more

✿ one bizarre occurrence is when you saw him outside, holding his kid’s bag in between his teeth, a child on his back, the other running off with the keys to open the door, and ton of groceries in each hand

✿ the way his veins were accentuated at that moment was divine though

✿ one day you thought your child went missing; you searched and searched and NOTHING.

✿ the only thing out of place was that their shoes weren't at the front door and their favorite hair accessory was gone too

✿ and then you hear that goofy laugh you love and run out of the house only to realize they were outside, playing with his older kid as bakugo sat on the porch, enjoying a drink

✿ you decided to join him and had a surprisingly pleasant conversation with him as you two watched your kids.

✿ this soon became a weekly tradition, not being able to bear a week without being in each other’s company, which quickly became not being able to bear a night without being in each other’s company.

TODOROKI SHOTO

✿ you honestly didn't even realize he had kids at first

✿ you thought he was hot, and he would help you out every now and then, like helping you bring in groceries if you’re struggling with all of them

✿ and then one day you open the door to a tiny version of him with what looks like your child’s toy in his hands

✿ “is this.. yours?” the kid squeaked in the cutest, tiniest voice

✿ turns out it’s his kid and he found the toy in the hallway :(((

✿ you make sure to invite him over for your kids to hang out, half expecting some sort of spouse to also come with him

✿ once you finally have a talk over some WINE he decided to bring over, you realize he’s a SINGLE DAD????

✿ eventually your kids start asking to hang out every day

✿ with that, along with sleep overs and park play dates, and you and shoto are seeing each other constantly

✿ the way he looks when he comes to pick up his kids after working late into the night with his suit jacket off and the top buttons unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up ,,,

✿ GOD TIERRRRR ugh and the way he swoons over his sleepy children, grabbing their hands as they waddle off to their house??? YOUR HEART IS SKIPPING HELLA BEATS

✿ you didnt even realize that he feels the same way whenever he sees you pick up your and/or his kids when they fall, patting their heads and soothing their injuries

✿ eventually you two end up being a couple, no words are needed; you both understand the bond and connection growing between you guys

IIDA TENYA

✿ ah, sweet iida. you always knew he and his little daughter lived next door by themselves

✿ the second you moved in he made it his duty to welcome you to the neighborhood and introduce himself to you.

✿ every now and then he’d make small talk if he passed by you outside, or brought you a gift during your birthday and mothers/fathers/parents(?) day.

✿ his daughter seemed really shy yet sweet, and always came with him to visit you, hands wrapped around his leg as she hid behind him

✿ the first time your kids met, however, was when your child ran over to iida’s house and asked “mr. ingenium” if the two of them could play together

✿ iida allowed his daughter to come over and play, and when he came to pick her up he could’ve sworn his heart did a backflip when you held her in your arms, and when your hands touched ever so slightly

✿ small things like this continued, a slow accumulation of heart throbbing moments as you two helped each other out, knowing the struggles of being single parents

✿ you two would have probably never gotten together if it weren’t for his brother, however.

✿ your kid came up to you after a play date at iida’s house and told you “mr. ingenium has a big brother !! his name is tensei !!”

✿ after giving each other a casual greeting as you passed each other in the grocery store, you told him he should come over for dinner, and invite his brother, seeing as your child really enjoyed playing with his brother, his daughter, and him.

✿ when that dinner actually did come, his brother (not so quietly) whispered “oh, so that’s the person you’ve been saying you like”

✿ from then on, dinner together became a daily thing for your little family

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megamegaturtle · 3 years

Text

golden syrup

Rating: G

Relationships: Luna Lovegood & Harry Potter (Friendship)

Tags: Post-War, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Baking, Self-Love, Male-Female Friendship, Platonic Hand Holding, POV Harry Potter

Summary:

Golden syrup: a thick amber-coloured form of inverted sugar syrup that tastes delicious on scones, hot cakes, and treacle tart with a buttery, caramel flavor.

Golden: something Harry Potter hasn't felt in a long while.

[the one in which Luna teaches Harry how to bake]

(For the Dumbledore's Armada Discord Flash Comp: Magic Begins From Within! Winner for Overall Favorite, Best Platonic Friendship, and Best Use of Prompt!)

Read it here on Ao3

Harry Potter welcomes the new year with a six-pack of beer and booming fireworks. It smells like war. Gunpowder screams overhead and the lively colors flash before his eyes, but no one dies at the tip of a wand. He trembles, his muscles are weak, and he is defenseless.

With each explosion, he relives every death. Cedric, in the graveyard, his face devoid of red. Green howls on the top of the Astrometry Tower and Dumbledore falls. Sirius, in a flash of blue, his body gone in a blink.

Change feels like swimming in the desolate waters of the Black Lake. It is numb and no one can save him, but Harry still swims. He longs for the shore, but breath is scarce, just like his seconds. He doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring, but he waits for it with a guarded heart.

Life slows in solitude, Harry decides. It is as cozy as an empty flat that has a drafty window. Winter creeps in every crevice and rustles the tops of cardboard boxes. Loneliness nestles in the space where his friends used to stand, but Ron and Hermione are moving on to tomorrow, with or without a plan.

He sits in a deserted living room, a ratty couch as his lonesome furniture. He stares out the window, the gray sky frozen in the sunlight. It does not thaw as the sun moves across the day. He sits there frozen too and welcomes snow to fall over his soul. He wants to be buried under soft white until he sinks into the cold.

He is the aftermath of war.

He is the definition of lost.

But someone finds him anyway.

The knock on his door is light, but persistent. The knocks continue even after a full minute. Harry gets up, his knees creak and his joints sore. He drags his feet just like his blanket clings to the floor. He trips over a cheap rum bottle; the glass echoes a shrill laugh in his flat.

His fingers glue to the doorknob and shake at welcoming someone into nothing. Hot disappointment whispers in his ear, and warm, breathy shame is enough to propel him into battle. Harry plants his feet to the ground, his body tenses for a fight. He clenches his jaw into a familiar ache.

Harry prepares for someone to drag him into a hug. He expects someone to force him back to a life with obligations. But Luna Lovegood only pauses her knocking and takes a step back. Grocery bags rest at her feet and her bottle cap necklace jingles like a blessing. She smiles up at him like she saw him yesterday.

“Hello, Harry,” she says. “I like your blanket cape.”

A blush paints his cheeks, and he clears his throat, his voice raspy. “Hey, Luna.”

Luna stares at him patiently from the threshold as Harry opens the door wide enough for her to enter. She does not comment on the state of his empty flat or how it’s been so long since she’s seen him. She only asks to be directed to the kitchen. He leads her with slow steps, each movement heavy on his person. Luna trails behind him, and the items in her bags jostle together as a cheery chime.

Without help, she hoists the bags onto the counter and takes everything out: golden syrup, ginger, and other baking ingredients. She rests a pie tin to one side and a few mixing bowls and some utensils to the other. Carefully, she pulls out a handwritten recipe and reads it once before putting it on the counter too.

Harry licks his lips, desperately wishing he had a glass of water. “Luna, not that I’m not happy to see you—”

“But you’re not happy to see me, Harry,” she interrupts. “You haven’t been happy to see anyone.”

“Okay, fair enough, but—”

“I am happy to see you though,” she interrupts again, her smile honest and sweet. Her smile cuts like crystalized honey. It has sat too long in the opened container in the pantry, forgotten.

Harry swallows his growing irritation; burning anger kept tight under a lid. “Right, well—thank you, but what are you doing?”

Luna blinks and gestures to her ingredients. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re making a treacle tart. Mother said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

“I’m sorry—what?” Harry sputters. “You want—my heart?!”

“No, Harry,” she sighs. “We’re making this so you can get through to your own heart. You like treacle tart and I brought Mum’s recipe.”

“Luna, I don’t—I don’t need to get through to my heart. I’m fine. Perfectly and utterly fine.”

Luna only hums and begins reciting the instructions. “Okay, first we must make the short crust pastry. Hermione said it’s easier the Muggle way, so I am willing to try, but I don’t know the Muggle way. Anyway, Step 1) gather the flour, butter, and very cold water. Step 2) place 272 grams of flour in the mixing bowl—272 grams? That’s such an odd number. Okay, place 272 grams of flour with 2 sticks of butter, cubed, and—”

Luna pauses when Harry does not move and points to the counter. “Harry, what are you doing? I can’t make the tart by myself.”

Tension in his chest crawls up his throat. “Yes, you can. I didn’t even ask you to come over here today. I said I was fine and you’re—I don’t need a bloody tart, Luna! I just want to be left alone.”

Luna puts down the recipe. “Harry,” she whispers. She says his name as if he’s precious. “I don’t want you to be alone the same way—the same way you didn’t want me to be alone.” She reaches across the counter and touches the back of his hand. “I just want to help you find your shoes, Harry. Can I—will you let me help you find your shoes?”

Her chilled fingertips carry the weight of friendship in their gentle touch. Twigs crunch under their feet. They laugh as teenagers laugh. They love as teenagers love. Magic weaves into all their moments of silence, never forcing either to speak.

Luna’s pale blue eyes find him with kindness, her heart an anchor when he feels so far away. Harry wonders if he is a ghost now, but Luna’s hand wraps around his and she tugs him away from gunpowder explosions, pulling him out of darkness to stand by her side. She is the lifeline in the Black Lake, skipping like a stone across the water to the other side. She takes him with her and for once, Harry does not feel like he’s drowning.

Smiling doesn't feel right, but he clings to her hand. “Okay, Luna. We can make a treacle tart.”

She beams at him and begins reading the instructions again.

Harry was always a decent student, but in the stillness with Luna, Harry listens. He makes the crust as she instructs and makes the filling too. Together they watch the golden syrup simmer over the hob with juicy lemon and mix it with breadcrumbs. They beat the egg and cream together with a fork, but never has Harry felt more sure about a moment. Luna has never asked him to face his own crossroads.

His chilly flat warms with the oven and the loneliness thaws with Luna’s laughter. She charms his blanket into a real cape, and it fastens around his neck with a simple button. She says it suits him.

The timer buzzes and Luna dons lion oven mitts. Heat pours out of the oven as she opens it and delicious buttery caramel wafts under their noses. Harry’s mouth waters as he watches steam rise from tart, tasting the sweet syrup in the air.

“Very good, Harry Potter,” Luna praises. She rests the tart on the table and performs a cooling spell. “The golden-brown color reminds me of the hares we see in the garden during spring.”

“...is that a good thing? That sounds like a good thing. ”

She peers at him with a small smile. “Of course. They never played tricks on us when we fed them fresh berries from our bushels.”

Luna fishes out a bowl of clotted cream she kept tight under a statis charm. The pie cools to perfect temperature with the aid of her magic, and she spells some plates to set themselves at the table. They whiz around the room until they lay calmly like little birds. Together, they sit at his small kitchen table for two. Luna pours them both a glass of milk and serves them each a slice of tart. She tops their slices with a delicious helping of sweet, clotted cream.

Harry holds his fork with trepidation, the humble slice gooey at the edges of its filling. The toasted breadcrumbs feel crunchy under his fork, but he is too nervous to slice it.

Luna’s foot touches his under the table. “Go on, Harry,” she says. “Try it. You deserve it.”

Harry meets her eyes only for a moment, but then he nods, bracing himself as the metal of his fork hits the ceramic plate. The sound snaps like a crumbled bell, but still rings with finality. With nerves on fire, he takes his first bite with dolloped cream.

Buttery warmth melts in his mouth, the hint of slight spice and sweetness oozing in all his bones. He sinks in his chair as he relishes the delicate pastry crust, the flakey layers dissolving on his tongue. The cream cuts the sweetness, so it is not overbearing, but remains pleasant like a tender kiss.

Luna props her chin in her hand and grins at him. “How does it feel to fall in love with something you made?”

Harry blinks at her words, startled by their genuine curiosity, and he remembers the dough as it stuck to his skin. His hands still smell like lemon and when he bends his index finger, a cut stings from the juice. The pie in front of him unassumingly sits in in the middle of the table, enveloping him in kind warmth and wonderful memories.

His mouth wobbles as he takes a second bite, and Harry remembers his Hogwart’s letter. Another, the first time he made friends. He eats more and remembers Hermione’s fierce hugs when she thought no one was looking. A thick part of filling and he can feel the comfort from Ron’s laughter as they stayed up all night. At the very last bite, he remembers dancing with the girl across the table when no music played just because she wanted to dance.

Like the sun dawning, emotion wells at the corners of Harry’s eyes and his chest caves as he hunches over the table. He heaves a choked sob as he curls around his finished plate, the loneliness in his heart thawing in the warmth of a home cooked treat. Blindly, he pats the table, searching for Luna’s hand. Her icy fingers thread between his and squeeze tight as she kisses his knuckles. Her thumb traces over the spot where her lips touched.

She says nothing, but he hears her heart: I am here with you.

Love builds inside him and spreads to tips of his toes, igniting a fire of forgiveness in its wake. In the trail of flames, he saves some love for himself.

Magic washes over him when Luna squeezes his hand once more. With a teary laugh, he sits up and wipes his face. Luna looks at him as if he is handsome as she wears a content smile. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, the snow inside his body melting in Luna’s bright friendship.

Harry cups his hands around Luna’s, relishing in the peace that settles over him.

He smiles for the first time in a long while.

“Thank you, Luna.”

#hp fanfic #Harry Potter #luna lovegood #huna #lunarry #friendship #ptsd #learning how to bake #luna is a great friend #i wanted this to be romantic but it didn't turn out that way lol #but i love them anyway #please enjoy #drabble

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sai-teru · 4 years

Text

Together with you (C-4)

Chapter IV: Hear me out!

Summary: What if, on chapter 271/272 of the manga where Saiki removes his left hairpin device. The device that once removed… people of the world will know of his psychic ability. And what if, when he removes that device, it did really shows all over the world about Saiki being a psychic user? And that shocked even Kuusuke because he thought he de-activated it a long time ago. I want to start this story on that very scene and we'll see what will un-fold.

And by the way, this is a SaiTeru fanfic so what I'm saying is the story will focus on both of them. We will see what their relationship will go through. I'll stick to the manga's story as much as possible but of course, all scene will not be exactly as what the manga/anime goes.

Warning: And also, spoilers for those who's just starting to read the manga or watching anime. If you just started and saw this story because you ship Saiki and Teruhashi then you'll be spoiled. Just a warning for you guys but, if you don't care about spoilers… then go ahead and read this story of mine.

Disclaimer: All characters are not mine they belong to Asou Shuuichi-Sensei. Though the plot of the rest of this story are mine.

read the rest under the cut :)

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

Chapter 4: Hear me out.

After several minutes of quietness coming from the room, Saiki eyed the girl beside him.

So… why are you still here? Cocking his eyebrow at her as she shrieks at his sudden voice.

Placing her hands over her chest “You startled me there, Saiki-kun” she exhaled. Still, Saiki remained stoic as he waits for an answer. Scratching her cheeks shyly “Well you see…” feeling uneasy and shy avoiding his wondering eyes as she scans through nook and cranny in Saiki’s room.

Sighing apathetically. Yare, Yare. If you're having a hard time expressing your thoughts, you can always remove the ring. In that way, I can hear what you want to say. Through your mind. Easy. He expresses naturally as if it was nothing.

Nonetheless, to the blue-headed girl, her cheeks flared up in crimson red upon hearing that. W-what?? Does… does Saiki-kun badly want to hear my thoughts? Slapping her cheeks, erasing the thoughts away and slowly glanced at the psychic, observing his facial expression.

As you can see, Teruhashi took Saiki's word in the wrong way and adding some misunderstanding to the situation. Again, and this time, without Saiki knowing it. And that’s because he can’t read her mind. But, seeing the maiden acting strange, he thought she was thinking of nonsensical and troublesome things. Yare, yare.

I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding on my part. As always. I should be wary about what he says and does. Sighing deeply. She faces the psychic.

“Ne, Saiki-kun!” she called but no answer was heard but still, she continues. “About what you said earlier… you know,” scratching her chin absentmindedly. “about my feelings that you mentioned a while ago, you said I misunderstood and took it the wrong way!?” she tilts her head to stare at the pink-headed boy right beside her but, the guy in question is not uttering nor answering her back still, she knows that his all ears. So she decided to let her thoughts all out.

She coughs to get his attention. “I mean, do you really thought I misunderstood it?” she finally asked. And by that statement alone, she grabs the attention of a certain psychic and now glaring at her with furrowed eyebrows. It frightened Teruhashi a bit but, she held her breath and act bravely as she needed it to face him head-on.

Tilting his head confused as he continued staring daggers at the maiden who’s now in front of him. What do you mean?

She coughs again. “You see…I think you are the one who misunderstood me? Or my action!” she uttered with a low voice in the middle of her statement. Still, her companion was just staring dumbfounded at her.

He let out a long breath, ruffling his hair annoyingly and as stared at her. I?? Misunderstood… you? Me? Of all people? I’m not misunderstanding anything or whatnot. You are! Because in all honesty, I'm sure—

When Teruhashi was about to open her mouth to disagree, Saiki beat her to it. Sighing exasperatedly. You are the one misunderstanding the situation! He muttered gritting his teeth.

Vein pops on Teruhashi as she listens almost calmly at the same time, almost annoyed at how Saiki is being irrational. Clenching her fist as she shouts “NO!” Saiki was completely taken aback by her sudden outburst. But, he let her continue while keeping his calm in check.

“I'm not! I know well enough what I feel!” she said in a low tone enough for him to hear.

Inhaling deeply while pinching the bridge of his nose. Seriously! You just want me to say that pathetic lines your admirers saying to you! But whatever the circumstances are… I won't say it! Rather, I will and never will say it! And also, that is the whole reason why you're fixated to me! I’m telling you this, so you should st—

“NO!” She burst out stopping Saiki on whatever his about to say.

Taking a deep breath. Placing her hands over her chest to calm her beating heart. “I agree with you wholeheartedly! At first, that was my main reason why I want to get your attention but, as time goes by, I learned what kind of person you are all these days that past. You are nothing like them, you see me as just a normal person though, that annoyed me nevertheless, I’ve come to understand that, that just your personality; you’re quiet, expressionless person, ordinary guy… well, that’s how you look like to us back then, but even so, I like every part of that about you. I know, it’s hard to believe but honestly, I’ve come to accept it. All of it, the real you.” She pants while letting her thought out. Still, she’s not done and continue on her speech.

“Still, I want you to say that pathetic line you mentioned earlier because even if just once… I want to hear it through your voice. That’s my selfish wish” Looking straight in his eyes. “I’ve come to accept my true feelings towards you as day past. With Chiyo’s help of course. So, please, don’t say that I misunderstood my feelings towards you, I’ve had a tough time realizing and accepting it on my own. And now that I know and sure of it, don’t you say casually that I misunderstand everything. It’s actually your fault…” she stops mid-sentence seeing the dark expression on Saiki’s face. She flinched but, that won't stop her from telling him her thoughts loud and clear. She inhales deeply and starts again. “It’s your fault to begin with, that I felt this way towards you, so you should take responsibility by acknowledging it. You don’t need to accept it right away, I’m just asking that you-

But I can’t! Averting his eyes towards the maiden as he shut her off and he started to pay attention back at the window without any interest.

Teruhashi was looking at him with eyes wide open, mouth almost open. She didn’t expect that Saiki will make a sad and uncomfortable face. She wanted to ask why but, seeing his stern look was enough to silence her. Choosing to close her mouth she also glances at the window without knowing what to look at and sighed exasperatedly.

Silence took over the room for a couple of minutes until Saiki breaks it by saying something that startled the maiden.

Still, upon hearing his voice she’s back at staring at him. I can't accept your feelings or acknowledge them. He decided to face her seriously this time. Seeing that she was facing him as well with a sad expression on her face. Still, she was brave enough to hear his thoughts on the matter. Because it’s not every day that he can express himself to others.

Saiki sighed. Look, as you see, I’m a psychic and that’s why I can’t accept you. You, of all people! You know very well how others viewed you. And if I associated myself with you, there’s a chance that somebody will learn my secret. And as you said, you are here to help me with that! And by associating with me, there’s also a high chance your life may put in jeopardy so… please… this time, just forget the emotion you're harboring towards me-

“I can't!” shutting him off, which causes her lost for breath, clenching both her hands placing it over her chest, with tears overflowing her eyes. “I can’t do that! I don’t want to! Call me selfish but… but this time, I can't, I don’t want to do that! Saiki-kun, this… this is the first time I chose someone else towards my own selfish goal. I don’t… I can’t…” snipping and rubbing the salt tears flowing through her eyes.

Saiki was just staring at her without doing anything, confusing the hell out of him. And as this moment on, he was now regretting giving her the germanium ring because of how anxious he was. And he badly wants to hear what was running through her mind. If she really was saying the truth or manipulating him because she’s good at doing that to anybody. But, he’s different from the rest, he was a psychic; he knows better if anyone is trying to manipulate him. Nevertheless, he’s facing the most troublesome and most fearless enemy he got. And that was Teruhashi Kokomi who’s God's favorite.

Saiki was feeling indifferent to the situation they were facing, he felt anxious that unbeknownst to him, he suddenly holds Teruhashi's shoulder tightly that startled and made her skip-a-beat. She looked at him strangely at the same time confused with a flushed face.

Uneasy at their position, she called his name with trembling voice “S-Saiki-kun?” but it seems Saiki's mind was in disarray that he didn’t hear her calling him.

He was just staring straight in her eyes absentmindedly, lost in thoughts. Teruhashi was beginning to lose her mind at the sudden proximity and her face was now redder than tomato. Also, her stomach was starting to twist in a knot. She was confused at him, she wanted to ask him many things and what was he doing now. And also, she doesn’t want to think of this as something special to cause more misunderstanding.

Silence took over that moment, no one was speaking the only sound that can be heard in the room was the ticking of the clock, the sound of their breath. But that soon came to an end when Saiki decided to speak.

You… He called that made the pretty girl shriek, and she hummed to answer him. Is what you say the truth? He asked with seriousness evident on his voice that made Teruhashi shivered. Answer! Ordering her.

Startled. She answered quickly but stumbled on the way. “Y-yeah… It’s… It’s true!” she swallows and calming herself. Because being nervous now will not help in this situation. “Yes, everything I said is the truth!” she answered bravely and took a deep breath as she stared at his eyes.

Saiki smirked that made her heartbeat fast. Now, noticing that he was holding her shoulders so tight he release it and bowed apologetically which she didn’t mind at all. And all of a sudden, he grabbed her hands were the ring was. Teruhashi, again, surprised at the sudden touch of the pink-headed guy that made her face flushed in crimson red, her heart was beating fast and any minute now, it will burst if Saiki decided to do weird things. And at this moment on, she was just staring at him with adoration. Lost in thoughts.

And all of a sudden, the ring fell out from her finger that startled her and brought her back to reality. Seeing the ring that blocking Saiki's telepathy was now on his hand. And she finally understood why Saiki suddenly grabs her hands, he wanted to remove the germanium ring that was placed on her finger. And upon realizing it, she felt uneasy because now, there’s no way she can’t block her mind from thinking about him. She felt embarrassed because her mind is filled with nothing but the guy in front of her and it made her face flushed gazillion times already and the one who causes her this so much distress is the guy in from of her. She can’t even show her face to him. And out of embarrassment she covered it with her hands.

Saiki for the second time grin. Playing with his germanium ring twisting it around his finger. Okay! You convinced me… so, you really are saying the truth? Teasing the pretty girl.

Still hiding her face. “That was uncalled for. Give me back the ring.” Removing one of her hands from her face to snatch the germanium ring on Saiki.

If you can snatch it away from me you can have it. Grinning mischievously and teasing her strangely amuses him. He really was enjoying this unbeknownst to him.

Saiki stretches his arms upward so Teruhashi won’t be able to get it. So, she tiptoes her foot trying hard to get the ring from him with her eyes close and not noticing that their body was clashing towards each other but because the pretty girl was so absorbed into getting back the ring she didn’t notice it. While the other individual was smiling at how hard she was trying to get the germanium ring back.

This jerked, this rude boring guy is being so childish, so annoying! Reading aloud what Teruhashi’s inner mind was telling. She immediately stops her movement because of embarrassment.

Slapping his arms lightly. “That was uncalled for! Don’t read my mind.” She pleads desperately.

What! As if I want to read your mind willingly. I can't help it you know! He sneered.

“Wha… what the heck… Saiki-kun, if you don’t want to read my mind give me back the ring!!” still hiding her face towards him and grabbing the damn ring on his finger.

Told you, snatch it from me, if you can… then you can have this!

If Teruhashi was not so embarrassed at the moment she can see that unusual happy face of Saiki, because Saiki at the moment was having fun teasing her. Until he notices someone was approaching the room. He stopped playing and gave the ring back to the embarrassed girl that startled her with his unpredictable and playful actions.

“What? What now?” She asked confused.

You want the Germanium ring, right? You can have it for now. When she’s about to protest Saiki speaks again silencing her. My mom will be here any moment now, so fix yourself and make sure your swollen eyes are gone. Don’t want her to think I did something to you. Go back and seat on my bed or that chair or whatever. He ordered the pretty girl which she obliged without a fight.

She walks at Saiki's bed and sat on it, placing the ring on the bedside while fixing herself, waiting for his Mom to come as what Saiki informed. And soon they heard a knock from the door and slowly opening, Kurumi peeking through the entrance as she waved at Teruhashi.

Smiling genuinely. “How’s the talk? Did Ku-chan told you everything, Kokomi-chan?” asking Teruhashi with a smile plastered on her face.

She nods in agreement. “Y-yes Auntie, thank you for letting me in,” she answered back.

“Good to know then. And of course, I also want to express my gratitude to you for accepting my son even though he is a psychic!” she told with affection. She was feeling grateful to Teruhashi.

Shaking her head. “No, it was us that needs to be thankful for your son.” Kurumi arched an eyebrow at her. Teruhashi smiled and continued. “I mean, Saik- Kusuo-kun helps us several times already. Thank you for giving birth to him Auntie” she bowed and Kurumi felt overjoyed hearing someone appreciating her son and how he lives his life. She wanted to cry out of happiness but she held it in as she side glance on her son seeing what expression his making.

And to her shocked, it was the first she saw his son looking so out of it, that confused look he’s making made her giggle at the sight of it which she earned harsh growl coming from him. She smiled and looked back at Teruhashi.

“Thank you again, Kokomi-chan!” bowing her head to show appreciation to the pretty girl which made her uneasy and she bowed and thank Saiki's mother to ease the situation.

And unbeknownst to her, she forgot to put the ring back on her finger. With that, Saiki knew what was running through her mind and that made his stomach feel strange and he was also confused at himself.

Teruhashi clapping her hands. “By the way, auntie, do you need some help? Is that why you’re here? If so, I can help you, in whatever I can!” that snap Kurumi from her thoughts. Shaking her head disapprovingly.

“No, no Kokomi-chan, I’m here to let you know that Kuu-kun, Kuusuke; Ku-chan's big brother asks me to relay a message to you” She informed which earned a questioning hummed towards the girl.

Tilting her head “oh! What might that be?” remembering Saiki's older brother made her soar.

“He asked me to tell you that you should stay for the night here because…”

While Kurumi was still explaining, Teruhashi with wide eyes, slamming her hands in the bed. “W-WHAT?? A- DO-“ Wa-wa…What did she say??? Me staying here… the whole freaking night? With Saiki-kun? Wa-wa-what??? It’s fine but… what should I do, can I sleep together with… kyaaaa Kokomi get a grief. A perfect pretty girl doesn’t act like that! Getting flustered and having a hard time forming her words.

Smiling at Teruhashi, she repeats. “Kuu-kun wanted you to stay for the night because it might be dangerous for you to go outside!” informing the still flushed maiden. She giggles at the sight of it while Saiki moaned tiredly.

Inhaling deeply, she made sure she’s calm and looked back at Kurumi “Auntie, I can’t, my brother will be worried and it might be more dangerous if he sees Saik- Kusuo-kun here!” she informed.

Kurumi places her pointer finger on her chin as if thinking, “Hmm… well, you can call your brother and just make an excuse? Kuu-kun said that there’s a high chance that someone has seen you go here so, if you’ll go outside it might be dangerous for you and he also said… It will be too troublesome if Ku-chan will teleport you to your house. Because it will cause another commotion.” Teruhashi nods at her and still waiting for more explanation.

“If we let you go outside or even if someone will fetch you from here, it will still be chaotic. Also, Kuu-kun said that you need to keep this a secret from everyone, don’t contact your friends that you speak with Ku-chan.” Teruhashi wants to ask more questions but letting it slide because she knows that they were doing this for Saiki’s sake so instead, she remained silent and wait until Kurumi is finished.

“Lastly, kuu-kun also mentioned that he has a major plan and—“

Eyes wide open, what do you mean? Asking her mom only through her mind but, Kurumi didn’t pay attention to him as she continues with her speech. Which she earns a low growl coming from her son.

She coughs. “As I mentioned, Kuu-kun said he has a plan in motion and will be here tomorrow morning before you go to school.” She said with a smile.

“He already made a plan? That’s a good news Saik- Kusuo-kun” Clapping her hands cheerfully as she stared at Saiki with a smile on her face.

“That is also the reason why you need to be here Kokomi-chan, because Kuu-kun has something to say to you. But, if you'll ask me… I don’t know the answer! I'm sorry” Kurumi informed and at the same time apologetic to the young girl.

Shaking her head. “It’s alright Auntie, Don’t worry about it! If it’s a plan to device how Sak- kusuo-kun will be free again, I’m willing to help.” Clasping her hands energetically.

Saiki also frowned upon knowing that Teruhashi will stay here the whole night. It’s troublesome and it’s also freaking him. Knowing he’ll be with her the whole freaking night his mind was in a different kind of haze and also, wishes that somehow he can get through this without any more trouble. And to say, the Madonna forgot to put the ring on her finger and that is why he is restless because he can read what is running through her mind. And to say it’s all troublesome stuff. Yare, yare.

Kurumi claps her hands that warrant the attention of the two as they both look at her “Okay, now that I’ve said it, I’ll go on ahead and continue my work downstairs. I’ll leave you two young ones alone and continue your conversation.” She smiled knowingly.

Teruhashi nods unsurely while Saiki grimaced. Kurumi waves her hands to them and leaves the two alone in the room with awkward silence.

We’re alone again. Oh, my gosh! With her hands cupping her face Get a grief Kokomi, it’s not like something will happen…

Saiki sighed exasperatedly. (Yare, yare) I thought you don’t want me to hear your thoughts? Then why are you not wearing the ring I gave you?” Saiki uttered between his breaths as he breaks the ice between them.

Teruhashi was taken aback at his sudden voice and realization hit her seeing the ring place on the bed. She forgot that she places the ring there a while ago to fix herself. And a sudden wave of embarrassment occurs her knowing all this time Saiki knew what her thought was. Blood rush to her brain and she immediately grab the ring place it on her finger. Her face was flushed due to embarrassment. That was embarrassing… I’m the worst. AAAA… what will I do? How can I face him directly? She wanted to glance at the pink-headed guy but was too embarrassed to see his face instead, she covers her face with his pillow.

What are you doing now? He decided to approach the maiden. But because Teruhashi was busy with her thoughts alone, she didn’t hear him.

He sighed and poke her head repeatedly until he gets her attention back. Oy—

She suddenly jumps on her feet that surprised the psychic himself. With her face in a deep shade of red, she immediately announces that she’ll go downstairs and help Kurumi in whatever she needs.

“A… I’ll go downstairs and help Auntie” she states as she runs through the door without waiting for his response.

Ruffling his hair as he stared at her running form. Yare, yare. Finally some peace!

When Teruhashi was now out in his sight she suddenly felt relax; resting her head on the wall as she inhaled. “That was nerve-wracking!”

Now that she felt relaxed, she reminisces what happened a moment ago. It was embarrassing, even so, she felt great because she finally conveyed her true feelings and so she felt at ease.

“Now, it’s up to Saiki-kun!” smiling to herself, she started to march to find Kurumi and help her in her needs.

Upon reaching the lobby up to the kitchen she found Kurumi humming a song, she went to her and greeted her.

“Hi, Auntie! Need some help?” she suddenly approaches the middle-age woman.

Startled at Teruhashi’s sudden approach. “Kokomi-chan! I’m fine here alone, you can accompany Ku-chan upstairs” smiling at the girl whose face is now crimson red.

Waving her hands frantically. “No, ah… I mean” rubbing her cheeks shyly. “It’s alright Auntie, I mean, I talk to him and we settled things on our end so there is no need to talk anymore, I want to help you prepare dinner for the night. That’s the only way I can help.” She informed, smiling at Kurumi.

Smiling at her back, she nods. “Okay then, let’s prepare dinner together!”

“Right!” agreeing cheerfully. And they began to do their jobs until it’s dinner time.

A few more hours later Saiki's Dad, Kuniharu came and went to greet his wife, upon reaching the kitchen he was surprised to see Teruhashi there helping his dear wife.

With wide eyes. “Kokomi-chan?” he said questioningly.

Both girls look up to the place where they heard the voice came in and to see Kuniharu there, Kurumi rush towards her husband to hug and greeted him welcomely and Teruhashi bowed to express her gratitude.

“Papa, you came home!” Kurumi welcomed her dear husband happily.

“Welcome home uncle!” Teruhashi beam welcoming Saiki's dad whose face is still shocked.

Scratching his chin “E… Why is Kokomi-chan here? Honey” whispering to Kurumi who’s all smile to him.

Slapping his chest lightly. “Oh! Don’t worry about that papa, Kokomi-chan already know about Ku-chan!” she informed her husband with a knowing look. Upon hearing her statement Kuniharu gasped in total shock, he stared at Teruhashi confirming if what her wife said was the truth. When Teruhashi saw the looks of Kuniharu and at first, she didn’t understand what he wanted to convey but soon realize that Kurumi might inform her husband about the reason why she’s here. So to answer his silent query she nods in agreement.

“Seriously? Th-that’s good then…” He stops mid-sentence upon realizing that the pretty girl knew about his son and still here happily chatting with her wife not afraid of kusuo.

Now that he realizes that he made a ducked-face. “Ahyuuuuu!!!!” Kurumi look at him weirdly even Teruhashi was alarmed.

“Papa?” “U-uncle?” both arched an eyebrow as they stared at Kuniharu.

“Aaahyuuuuu!” he went and grab Teruhashi's hand to her shocked. “I’m just glad that you still accept Kusuo even though he’s not a normal person!” still crying out of happiness.

She chuckled and squeezed kuniharu’s hand. “Don’t worry uncle. At first, I was scared to know the truth but, upon realizing how great and kind Kusuo-kun was.” She pulled her hand gently and walk beside the table to remove the ring on her finger placing it at the top of the table. “I mean, on the times he was beside us, without knowing his true self; I felt relieved and I know he is to be trusted. You have a good son Uncle” smiling the whole time she also stared at Kurumi and bowed her head. “And Auntie as well, you both are the reason why Kusuo-kun grew up to become the man that he is now” she expressed warmly and the two parents were so delighted hearing that and both cried out in so much happiness.

Making a ducked-face “Ahyuuuuu!!!” the both uttered.

“Thank you, Kokomi-chan!” Kurumi was the first to thank her by clasping their hands together. “I’m really glad that Ku-chan has you as a friend!” She claims. And Teruhashi got shy and scratch her cheeks and smiled awkwardly.

“Me too! The first time I saw you on the shrine… I knew you would be perfect for Kusuo” he informed the pretty girl that got startled at his remark now waving her hand in the air with a flushed face.

“Uncle!!! Th-that’s… I…” can’t utter her words correctly, she was embarrassed and started to pick the ring that she places on the table to block her mind so a certain someone can’t read her embarrassing thoughts

“Aww… Kokomi-chan, you don’t have to get embarrassed!” Kurumi teases her more without ulterior motive. Teruhashi, on the other hand, felt restless and embarrassed at this situation, hoping Saiki will not hear any of this.

On the other hand and to her luck, Saiki was there eyeing there every move as he listen to their nonsense conversation. He was standing at the doorway sometime now and they haven’t noticed him there. He was staring at the three with his usual deadpan expression. Yare, yare. How did it turn out like this?

Sighing at the sight he was seeing, he stood to where they are to grab their attention. And upon seeing him there, they all gasped.

“A! Kusuo you’re here!” his dad said.

“Sa-sa-Saiki— Kusuo-kun” Teruhashi exclaimed with her face flushed reaching her ears, wishing that he didn’t hear anything but she knows he has.

“A! Ku-chan, dinner is ready, go seat with Kokomi-chan!” his mom uttered. That made Teruhashi flushed even more.

“A-Auntie!!!” she cried.

(Yare, yare.) He thought. What the heck are you two saying a while ago? Enough of that, your joke is not even funny! He muttered to his two meddlesome parents directly through their minds. While they both grin at him. He only sighed staring at his own parent’s dumb faces.

Kurumi then, clapping her hand cheerfully. “Okay! Now that dinner is ready, let’s go and eat!”

They all nod and agreed and went to their seat, and by the way, their seating arrangement was Saiki besides his Dad while Teruhashi with flushed face facing Saiki and besides her is Kurumi.

“It's hard to eat if I'm facing him! But, I’m glad I can see his face up-close!” grinning at her own statement. While the one facing her was annoyed at how his parents are grinning at him.

Yare, yare. How troublesome!

______________________________________

-End of Chapter IV-

#disastrous life of saiki k.#Saiki Kusuo no PSI Nan #saiki kusuo no sai nan #saiki kusuo no ψ nan #the disastrous life of saiki k.#saiki x teruhashi #saiteru #saiki kusuo #teruhashi kokomi #Together with you chapter 4 #Hear me out #Dont forget to review!!!!!!!!!

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bratshaws · 6 months

Text

through the hourglass 300. brb x oc

a/n: damn we got to 300 and we are sad huh (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

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The soft chime of her phone signaled an incoming call, and Beatrice's heart skipped a beat. She hastily reached for the device, her fingers fumbling slightly in her eagerness. The caller ID displayed a familiar name: Rooster. With a quick intake of breath, she swiped to answer.

"Rooster! Finally, you called! How have you been? Is everything okay?"

On the other end of the line, Rooster's deep voice resonated, carrying a warmth that eased Beatrice's anxieties. "Hey, Bea. I'm... I'm good. Just caught up with a lot of things here. How are you holding up?"

Beatrice settled onto the living room couch, cradling her phone as if it were a lifeline. "I've been worried, you know? The whole situation with the mission... it's been nerve-wracking. Are you okay?"

Rooster sighed, the weariness in his voice not escaping Beatrice's notice. "It's been a challenging time, Bea. We encountered some unexpected complications, and I've been navigating through them. But I wanted to hear your voice, reassure you that I'm doing my best to get through this."

The smile on Bea’s face softened immediately. "I appreciate that, Rooster. I've been on edge, wondering what's going on. Is there anything you can share with me, or is it…classified?"

There was a moment of hesitation on Rooster's end. "I wish I could, Bea. You know how it is with these missions. There are layers of classified information, and sometimes even I don't get the full picture. But I promise I'm doing everything I can to resolve things."

Beatrice nodded, even though Rooster couldn't see her. "I trust you, Rooster. I just... I miss you, that's all."

"I miss you too, Bea. More than you can imagine. These missions take a toll, but knowing I have you to come back keeps me going."

A tender smile touched Beatrice's lips. "You are very sweet.” she whispers, “You know that,right?”

Rooster chuckled on the other end, the sound a brief respite from the gravity of their conversation. "I got it from you, gorgeous. How's everyone doing?"

Beatrice's face warmed just enough, even with his voice sounding so tired he still managed to make her blush. "Well Nicole is growing like a little whirlwind, the twins are getting more active and the dogs... well, they've accepted their role as their personal guardians.”

“A noble position.”

“Hah,I agree.”

Rooster's laughter echoed through the phone, a sound that, for a moment, transported them both beyond the distances "I wish I could be there to witness the chaos. It sounds perfect."

"It is, in its own way," Beatrice replied, her gaze drifting to the photo on the wall ,their wedding photo "It’s just not the same without you, Rooster. The nights get a bit too quiet, you know?"

A solemn sigh traveled through the phone. "I feel it too, Bea. The quiet moments, the absence. Once the mission is wrapped up, I'll be back before you know it."

"I'll hold you to that," Beatrice teased, her playful tone belying the genuine yearning in her heart. "And when you're back, we're having a proper dinner, no military rations allowed."

Rooster laughs again, "No objections here. I could use a home-cooked meal. It's been too long."

Their conversation continued, seamlessly weaving between light-hearted banter and moments of shared vulnerability. Rooster recounted snippets of his mission, careful not to divulge classified details but offering enough for Beatrice to feel connected to his world. Beatrice, in turn, shared anecdotes from their daily life, painting a vivid picture of home that Rooster carried with him in the midst of his responsibilities.

As they spoke, the distance between them seemed to momentarily dissolve, replaced by the intimacy of shared memories and unspoken assurances. Beatrice described the changing seasons, the colors of autumn painting the landscape in hues of gold and crimson. Rooster listened, mentally juxtaposing the vivid imagery with the stark realities of the covert missions he found himself immersed in.

Amidst the exchange of words, Rooster's mind flitted to the events unfolding in the covert meeting. The night air, thick with tension, held a different weight for him. The covert operation demanded his focus, yet the connection with Beatrice provided a fleeting respite—a tether to normalcy in the midst of intrigue and uncertainty.

As the conversation continued, Rooster couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The delicate balance between duty and personal life often left him grappling with conflicting emotions. Beatrice, sensing the subtle shift in his demeanor, voiced her concern.

"Rooster, is everything okay? You seem... distant."

A moment of silence hung in the air before Rooster responded, his voice carrying a weight that mirrored the burden on his shoulders. "It's just... there are things I can't share, Bea. Classified stuff. But I need you to know that you're my anchor through all of this."

Beatrice's empathy cut through the miles that separated them. "You don't have to carry it all alone, Rooster. We're a team, remember? Whatever you can share, I'm here to listen. And whatever you can't, I trust you. Always."

Rooster sighed, the weariness in his voice belying the gratitude he felt. "You're incredible, Bea. Sometimes, I wonder how I got so lucky."

Beatrice chuckled softly, "Well, you did marry me, didn't you?"

"Best decision I ever made," Rooster replied, the sincerity in his voice carrying a depth that resonated with Beatrice. In that moment, their connection transcended the limitations of distance, an unspoken affirmation of the strength of their bond.

However, Beatrice sensed a shift in Rooster's demeanor. She knew her husband too well.. "Rooster, is everything okay? You seem... serious."

Rooster paused,"There's a lot happening on my end, Bea. I need to focus for a bit. But I want you to know that I love you."

Beatrice's heart skipped a beat, a sudden jolt of ice cold exploding in her stomach, her anxiety slowly crawling upwards. "I…I love you too-a-are you leaving?"

He replies, quietly, "Not yet…I just wanted to say that is all.."

Beatrice's mind raced, the sudden shift in Rooster's tone triggering a cascade of emotions. She took a deep breath, anchoring herself in the reassurance that he was still there, even if the miles stretched between them.

"Rooster, you know I support you in everything you do," Beatrice responded, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of concern. "But you also know that you can share more with me. I can handle it."

There was a pause on the other end, as if Rooster weighed his words carefully. "Bea, there's a situation. Something unexpected. It might take a bit longer than I thought."

Beatrice's grip on the phone tightened. The uncertainty of military life had always been a constant, but the acknowledgment of an unexpected situation heightened her anxiety. "Rooster, just... Come back to me, okay? Promise me." she closes her eyes, the fear clawing up her spine, “Promise me Bradley.”

A deep exhale echoed through the phone. "I promise, I promise Bea. I'll be back. I just need to navigate through this."

"I trust you," Beatrice whispered, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken fears and unwavering faith while wiping one lonely tear that dared to slide down her cheek. "Is…everyone else aware of–”

“Yes, pretty much everyone.”

She knew that’d be the most she’d get out of this mission and she could live with that.

“Okay.” she whispers with a small smile, “Okay,that…that does make me feel better, knowing you are not alone in this.”

His hum is soft and followed by a laugh,gentle and quiet “Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure,anything you need.”

Another pause “Would you…tell Mav about some of the uh…issues? You know he’d be open talking about it.” and he also missed his uncle’s insight on this.

“Roos…of course. I can do that.”

Rooster felt a mixture of gratitude and guilt for burdening Beatrice with such a request."Thank you, Bea. I know it's an extra load, but Mav can offer a perspective that might help."

Beatrice took a moment to absorb Rooster's words."I'll talk to Mav. And, Rooster, take care of yourself."

A hint of a smile played on Rooster's lips, even if it couldn't be seen through the phone. "I promise. I'll be cautious, and I'll come back to you, Bea. I love you."

"I love you too, Bradley," Beatrice replied, her voice softening with the tenderness reserved for private moments. As they exchanged their final words, the distance between them seemed both tangible and irrelevant, a paradox only those in long-distance relationships truly understood.

After the call ended, Beatrice sat in the quiet of their home, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. She glanced at the photo of Rooster on the wall, in his Navy uniform. She kept her eyes on him, her mouth curling softly into a frown before she sighs and stands up.

Determined to fulfill Rooster's request, Beatrice decided to reach out to Mav. She dialed his number, the familiarity of the ringtone comforting in its own way. After a couple of rings, Mav's voice echoed through the phone. "Hey, Bea! What's up?"

"Hey, Mav. I, uh, need to talk to you about something. It's about Rooster."

A pause on the other end hinted at Mav's curiosity and the slight panic in his words. "Rooster? Everything okay?"

Beatrice took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "There's a situation, Mav. He didn't go into details, but it sounds like things might get complicated. He asked me to talk to you about it."

"Complicated how? Is he in danger?"

"I don't think it's that straightforward," Beatrice explained, trying to convey the uncertainty of the situation. "He's navigating through something unexpected. I could hear it in his voice, Mav... I'm worried. There was…a breach too."

"A breach? What kind of breach?"

Beatrice sighed, rubbing her forehead. "He didn't specify details. Just that it added another layer to an already complicated situation. He's feeling the pressure, and he needs someone to talk to."

Mav's voice softened. "Of course, I get it. Rooster has always been...reserved about certain things. But if he's reaching out through you, it must be serious. Tell me everything you know, Bea."

Beatrice proceeded to recount the details of her conversation with Rooster, careful not to divulge more than he was comfortable sharing. Which honestly, wasn’t a lot because Rooster was very careful.

As she spoke, Mav listened intently, his mind piecing together the fragments of information. When Beatrice finished, a heavy silence lingered on the line. Mav took a moment before responding, "Thanks for letting me know, Bea. I appreciate you looking out for him. This situation sounds like a maze of uncertainties. Rooster rarely opens up about these things unless it’s digging at him."

"I know, Mav. That's why I thought it might help if he talks to you. You've been through a lot together, and your perspective might offer some clarity? Maybe?"

Mav sighed on the other end of the line, a sound laden with a history of shared experiences. "I'll try to talk to him, Bea. He might not say much, but sometimes just having someone there helps."

"Thank you, Mav. I know you've got your own things going on, and I appreciate you being there for him."

There was a moment of silence before Mav spoke again. "Family looks out for each other, right? Rooster…is like a son to me and you are family too,hm? I'll do what I can. Now, you take care of yourself too, Bea. It's not easy being on the other end of the line."

Beatrice chuckled softly, a mix of gratitude and wistfulness in her tone. "Tell me about it. But I'll manage. Just want him back safe."

"He's a tough one, Bea. He'll find his way back."

Beatrice couldn't help but smile at Mav's reassuring words. "I knew I could count on you, Mav. Thanks for being there."

"Anytime, Bea. And hey, give Nicole and the twins a little extra playtime from Grandpa Mav, alright?"

Beatrice laughed, the warmth of familiarity cutting through the seriousness of their conversation. "Will do, Mav. Take care, and keep me posted if Rooster says anything."

"Absolutely, Bea. Talk to you soon."

As the call ended, Beatrice felt a mixture of emotions. The weight of concern for Rooster's well-being lingered, and her whole body felt weak. She supported herself against the wall, then slid down to the floor where she sat.

Unmoving.

Quiet.

Until she brought her knees up and covered her face with her hands, “We just need a fucking break.” she whispers angrily to herself, making sure to keep her voice low to not wake the kids up “...fuck, what’s all this? First the weirdo neighbors, now this?”

The room echoed with the distant sounds of rain against the window panes, a somber accompaniment to Beatrice's contemplative solitude. She sat on the floor, the weight of the unfolding events pressing down on her shoulders.

In the stillness of the night, Beatrice allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. Her mind oscillated between worry for Rooster and the relentless challenges that seemed to converge upon her life. The journey from mundane worries about odd neighbors to the enigmatic breach in Rooster's mission had been swift, leaving her grappling with a sense of powerlessness.

She took a deep breath, attempting to steady the swirl of emotions within her. Nicole's toys lay scattered across the living room, silent witnesses to the turmoil that had unfolded in the midst of their innocent play. Beatrice reached for one of the toys, a small plush bear, holding it in her hands as if seeking solace from its silent presence.

The rhythmic patter of rain intensified, a symphony of nature's melancholy that matched the cadence of Beatrice's thoughts. She pondered the fragility of normalcy, how life could shift from the routine of family and playtime to the complexities of covert operations and the lurking shadows of the unknown.

With a heavy sigh, Beatrice rose from the floor, determined to regain a semblance of control. She moved quietly through the dimly lit house, avoiding the creaks in the floor that could disturb the peaceful slumber of her children.

In the solitude of her bedroom, Beatrice sank into the comfort of the bed. The soft glow of the bedside lamp painted the room in a warm ambiance, offering a refuge from the storm outside. The raindrops tapped gently against the window, a lullaby that accompanied her thoughts.

And there,safe and quiet.

She allowed herself to sob.

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